We are responsible for maintaining 1,250km (780 miles) of roads and pavements of adopted highway (technically known as carriageways and footways respectively).

Maintaining the highway network involves assessing its condition, identifying problems and then prioritising and carrying out the most appropriate work with the resources.

Further information can be found in the highway inspections policy and highway asset management page.

Highway maintenance programme

The programme is determined from priorities set by various considerations including independent condition surveys, technical officer assessment and recognition of views received from the public.

Although the programme represents the current assessment of priorities, it should be noted that the funding available will determine the final programme and emerging issues may need to be considered from time to time.

The highways maintenance programme shows an indicative break down of how the next 3 year's highway maintenance budgets will be spent.

Sometimes, the Department for Transport makes additional funds available for highways maintenance works.

Highway structural maintenance programme 2023/24

Start dates to be confirmed unless stated otherwise.

Resurfacing

Resurfacing is the traditional replacement of existing road surface with new, usually restricted to the upper layers of the road construction.

Due to budget restraints this type of work is generally carried out on our classified road network and only used on our unclassified (residential) Roads in exceptional circumstances.

Some high stress sites such as roundabouts are resurfaced with grouted asphalt to provide greater resilience. See our video of the Mannings Heath roundabout improvements for an example of this work.

We are also coordinating additional resurfacing works with the Transforming Cities Fund schemes that are currently being implemented and providing support wherever needed.

Ensbury Park road resurfacing is complete.

Holdenhurst Road footway improvements

Last October 2023, we commenced work to the footways in Holdenhurst Road from Wellington Road to just past Buchanan Avenue. The footways require a number of drainage, crossing and tarmac repairs. Access will be maintained to all shops, businesses and residential properties during these footway works which are planned to conclude in spring of 2024.

Once the footway is complete major resurfacing works will be carried out in Holdenhurst Road as part of a 2 phase operation:

• Phase One – Wellington Road to Springbourne junction, May 2024
• Phase Two – Sections between Springbourne junction and Buchanan Avenue, 2025/26

More details about this work will be announced closer to the dates.

Grouted asphalt resurfacing works

Grouted asphalt resurfacing works for year 23/24 are now complete. Further works for year 24/25 will be announced in April 2024.

Retread road recycling works

Some roads are suitable to be recycled using a process called Retread. Worn out old carriageway surfaces that are in too poor a condition for a surface treatment or contain tar which is difficult to dispose of when removed, but can be safely recycled and left in situ.

This process provides substantial cost savings and much lower CO2 emissions compared to traditional resurfacing with much less material having to be removed from site and fewer vehicle journeys.

The recycled road material is used as a base layer and a temporary road surface is applied for a few weeks to allow it to come to full strength after which a new running surface is applied using fresh material.

Works are currently being delayed by poor weather and we are approximately 24 hours behind schedule.

Contact Kiely Bros Ltd for the latest information.

This year’s programme started in February 2024:

• Lancaster Drive (complete)
• Southbourne Overcliff Drive (Marine Road to Southbourne Coast Road) (surfacing works starting 23 April)
• Clarence Park Road (starting 20 April)
• Jumpers Road (surfacing works starting 17 April)
• Guest Avenue (surfacing works starting 19 April)
• Canford Magna (in progress)
• Howeth Road (starting 16 April)
• Heron Court Road (surfacing works starting 25 April)
• Wootton Gardens (starting 29 April)
• Beaufort Road (starting 19 April)
• Hobbs Road (starting 22 April)

Forward resurfacing programme

We hope to be carrying out major resurfacing works to the following sites during the next 3 years with more to be announced soon:

• Seamoor Road
• Lake Road (Blandford Road to Coles Avenue)
• Ringwood Road/Herbert Avenue/Mannings Heath Road double roundabout
• Kinson Road/Turbary Park Avenue/Columbia Road double roundabout
• Nuffield Road
• Columbia Road
• Lansdowne Road
• Oakdale Road
• York Road (Lytham Road to Northbrook Road)
• Field Way
• Parkside
• Mansfield Road
• Mansfield Close
• Hunt Road (Somerford)
• Mudeford

Preventative maintenance

Preventative Maintenance is extending the life of the existing road surface by preventing pot holes and follows Department for Transport guidance that 'prevention is better than cure'. Surface treatments are laid directly on top of the existing road without removing the original material.

Micro asphalt

Also referred to as ‘Slurry Surfacing’, micro asphalt is a cost effective treatment that protects the existing road surface with the application of a thin layer of asphalt. After the road is patch repaired, micro asphalt is applied as a quick drying wet slurry and serves to prevent pot holes and helps regulate or smooth out some of the bumpier roads.

This process is commonly used where a surface dressing or carriageway sealing solution is not appropriate. The work is carried out using temporary road closures of 1-4 days duration with parking suspensions in place from 8am to 6pm daily.

This process is weather dependant and the following suggested starts dates are indicative only. Residents will receive a letter with more information shortly.

Works are planned to begin on:

Bournemouth:

• Howeth Road (starting 16 April)

Broadstone:

• Sutherland Avenue (starting 22 April)
• Anvil Crescent (starting 22 April)
• Ascot Road (starting 24 April)

West Howe:

• Turbary Park Avenue - postponed until September

Southbourne:

• Carbery Avenue (part completed, the rest of the road is due to be completed on 15 to 16 April)
• Beaufort Road (starting 19th April)

Boscombe:

• Knole Road - postponed until September
• Clarence Park Road (starting 20 April)

Burton:

• Salisbury Road - postponed until September

Whitecliff:

• Orchard Avenue – works postponed due to ongoing flooding issue

Parkstone:

• Hobbs Road (starting 22 April)

Surface dressing

Surface dressing is a cost effective means of preventing water penetration, improving skid resistance and arresting the disintegration of the carriageway, typically using a bituminous layer with one or more layers of small stone chippings laid over the top.

This work is generally focused on our unclassified road network but can be used on main roads. The final programme for this can be affected by utility and developer activity.

No surface dressing works are planned.

Carriageway sealing (asphalt preservation)

A quick, cost effective method of preventative maintenance by extending the lifespan of the existing road surface by enriching the asphalt and preventing water ingress. The material sets rapidly in all but the very warmest weather conditions and the process is normally completed within hours.

Works are planned to begin on:

• The Orchard – 23 April
• King John Avenue - 23 April
• Barons Road - 23 April
• King John Close - 23 April
• King John Avenue – 23 to 24 April
• Tourney Road – 24 April
• Knights Road - 24 April
• Runnymede Avenue – 25 April
• Charter Road - 25 April
• Plantagenet Crescent - 26 April
• Lionheart Close – 26 April
• Anjou Close – 26 April
• Eleanor Drive – 26 April
• King Richard Drive – 26 April
• Crusader Road – 27 April
• De Courtenai Close – 27 April
• Fitzwilliam Close – 27 April
• Stephen Langton Drive – 27 April
• Wheelers Lane (King John Ave to 21A) - 27 April 

Drainage improvements

Schemes to help alleviate surface water flooding on the Highway, various sites involving investigation and mitigation measures if appropriate. Please note that funding for such schemes is under extreme pressure and can result in a very long waiting period before implementation.

All cases are assessed individually with priority given to those considered to be at greatest risk. We are only responsible for the maintenance of it's highways drainage assets and not responsible for protecting private property.

Small footway schemes

The refurbishment or slurry sealing (pot hole prevention) of footway only.

Works are carried out with minimal disruption wherever possible unless the site requires a road closure.

The 2023-24 Footway Slurry Programme has started and is being carried out in the following locations:

• Northbrook Road
• Renault Drive
• Stoborough Drive
• Keighley Avenue
• Witchampton Road
• York Road
• Mission Road
• Whitby Crescent
• Stanley Green Road

Further work is planned to be carried out over the coming months at the following locations . More information will be made available later.

• Shottsford Road
• Heath Avenue
• Popes Road
• Enfield Road
• Enfield Avenue
• Old Farm Road
• Greenfield Road
• Moor View Road
• Argyle Road
• Asquith Close
• Baldwin Close
• Bub Lane
• Buccaneers Close
• Coastguard Way
• De Haviland Way
• Disraeli Road
• Grafton Close
• Harbour Crescent
• Johnstone Road
• Mudeford
• Mudeford Lane
• Palmerston Avenue
• Pauntley Road
• Pelham Close
• Purewell Close
• Russell Drive
• Stanpit

The programme of works listed above is subject to constant review depending on out turn costs of individual schemes, changing priorities indicated by routine highway inspections, or particularly adverse deterioration due to factors such as severe winter weather, flooding, etc. All dates are provisional and subject to change.